Updated on August 29, 4 p.m. (GMT+8): Adjusted best build and emblem based on MLBB patch 1.9.06B.

Franco, the Frozen Warrior, is a powerful tank/support hero who boasts a high pick rate across all ranks in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

He can rotate quickly, pull enemies from a distance, and slow them down, making him one of the best gank heroes in the Land of Dawn.

Furthermore, he is one of the few heroes who possess the highest level of control effect known as suppression.

Full list of Mobile Legends hero guides, counters, best build, and advanced combos ONE Esports featured image
Credit: ONE Esports, Moonton Games
GET AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION WITH OUR COLLECTION OF MLBB GUIDES
Full list of MLBB hero guides, counters, best build, and advanced combos
Full list of MLBB guides: Role guides, best ways to rank up, terms

With his exceptional abilities to hook and suppress enemies, he can completely turn the tide of any battle in his team’s favor.

Learn more about the hero in this comprehensive ONE Esports guide, which covers recommended emblems, best battle spell, best build, and skill combos.



Franco’s skills in Mobile Legends

Passive – Wasteland Force

If no damage is taken within several seconds, Franco gains extra movement speed, restores a percentage of his max HP per second, and begins accumulating Wasteland Force (up to a certain number of stacks).

  • He will consume all the Wasteland Force stacks on his next skill cast, increasing the skill’s damage.
  • Wasteland Force stacks will not be consumed if you don’t hit enemies or jungle creeps.
  • Wasteland Force will not reset if the damage taken by Franco is absorbed by a shield.
  • The passive lets him rotate quickly across the map, enabling him to gank efficiently.
  • Remember to buy Rapid Boots to maximize the bonus movement speed.


First skill – Iron Hook

Franco launches an iron hook in the target direction, dealing physical damage to the first enemy hit and dragging them toward him.

  • Iron hook can go through walls and turrets.
  • The enemy gets stunned while being hooked.
  • Use the bushes to make your hooks more unpredictable.
  • Use this to disrupt the enemy jungler’s farming, or force the others to use their battle spells in the early game.
  • To up your chances of hooking enemy heroes, aim for the feet or place to the left side of the skill indicator on the target.
  • Combine this with Flicker to pull enemies further, or increase the range of the hook and shorten its cast animation.
  • Use this to scout enemies in the bushes from time to time.
  • Max out this ability first to reduce its cooldown.


Second skill – Fury Shock

Franco lashes out, dealing physical damage to enemies and slowing them.

  • The higher HP you have, the more damage Fury Shock deals.
  • Use this to leash your jungler in the early game.
  • You can also help an ally in clearing minion waves, especially your mid laner, so he can go with you in ganking enemies in the side lanes.
  • Slow down enemies with this when they are trying to chase you or an ally.
  • This deals damage and slows enemies hiding in the bush, but doesn’t reveal them.


Ultimate – Bloody Hunt

Franco suppresses the target enemy hero for a few seconds and strikes them a number of times over the duration, each time dealing physical damage.

  • As a skill that has a suppression effect, Bloody Hunt can’t be removed by Purify.
  • This prevents the target from moving, attacking, and using skills.
  • This also cancels all skills (including those with control immunity, such as Badang’s Fist Crack, Guinevere’s Violet Requiem, and Yve’s Real World Manipulation), and ignores resilience or control reduction effects.
  • Bloody Hunt has a short range, so use Flicker or Conceal to close the gap against your target.

A comprehensive guide on how to play Franco in Mobile Legends

Recommended battle spell

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tank Franco recommended battle spell
Credit: ONE Esports

Flicker is the perfect battle spell for Franco. Using it in combination with Iron Hook can be a game-changer. You can pull enemies further by using Flicker backward.

Alternatively, you can increase the range of the hook and reduce its cast animation by casting it forward.

5 most explosive Flicker ultimate combos to pull off in Mobile Legends
Credit: ONE Esports, Moonton
5 most explosive Flicker ultimate combos to pull off in Mobile Legends

Flicker is also incredibly useful for ganking enemies with Bloody Hunt, as it allows you to quickly cut the gap and catch them off guard. Moreover, since Franco doesn’t have a mobility spell, it can be a great escape tool in sticky situations.

Recommended emblem

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tank Franco recommended emblem setup
Credit: ONE Esports

To maximize Franco’s skill set, select the Support emblem to get improved healing effect, Cooldown Reduction, and Movement Speed.

Choose Vitality in the first tier to gain additional HP, allowing you to soak up damage early in the game.

Subsequently, pick Pull Yourself Together in the second tier to reduce the cooldown of your battle spell and equipment actives.

Mobile Legends Emblem system guide: All talents, best setup
Credit: Moonton Games, ONE Esports
Mobile Legends Emblem system guide: All talents and best emblem setup

Opt for Focusing Mark in the last tier to increase the damage inflicted by your allies to your target, allowing for swift pickoffs.

If your team lacks a tanky EXP laner or jungler, you can consider selecting the Tank emblem.

Choose Agility for a boost in Movement Speed and Tenacity for extra physical and magic defense.

Mobile Legends roamer heroes Khufra, Tigreal, Estes, and Odette
Credit: ONE Esports, Moonton Games
COMMAND THE GAME AS A ROAMER USING OUR COLLECTION OF GUIDES
What is a roamer in Mobile Legends? Learn the things to do and the best heroes for this role
The 4 roaming blessings in Mobile Legends and the best heroes to equip them

Get Concussive Blast as your final talent. This gives you HP-based AOE damage to help out in clearing waves or dealing damage to targets.

Franco best build

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tank Franco best build
Credit: ONE Esports

Rapid Boots is a must-buy for Franco to maximize his passive. If you’re playing as the team’s roamer, consider choosing the Encourage blessing to help with your ganking.

As for defensive items, it’s crucial to adapt to the opposing team’s composition. A mix of physical and magic defense items is ideal.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang defensive equipment Dominance Ice guide
Credit: ONE Esports
3 reasons why Dominance Ice is a must-buy for all tanks

Start off with Dominance Ice to gain physical defense while reducing the enemies’ HP regen, shield gain, and attack speed. To repel magic damage, buy Athena’s Shield or Radiant Armor. For physical damage, purchase Antique Cuirass or Blade Armor.

Lastly, remember to invest in Immortality to increase your survivability.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang equipment Immortality guide
Credit: ONE Esports, Moonton Games
Immortality, Wind of Nature, or Winter Crown? Know which survivability item to buy and when

The key to winning as Franco is to be an effective initiator and disruptor for your team. Prioritize items that will help you achieve this, and adjust your build accordingly based on the situation.

The best build for Franco in Mobile Legends

  • Rapid Boots (Encourage blessing)
  • Dominance Ice
  • Athena’s Shield
  • Antique Cuirass
  • Immortality
  • Blade Armor


Easy combos to learn

Franco’s skill combo is super effective in taking down a single target. Start by landing Iron Hook on an enemy, and follow it up with Bloody Hunt to hold them in place.

Then, cast Fury Shock to deal massive damage. Coordinate with your teammates to focus fire and burst down the target quickly.

How to practice in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Credit: ONE Esports
How to practice in Mobile Legends? Don’t do it in Classic!

For added effectiveness of the Iron Hook, use Flicker backward once the hook is attached to the enemy to pull them further towards your allies or turret. Alternatively, you can tap Flicker right after casting Iron Hook to extend its range and surprise your target.

Of course, landing a hook is easier said than done, so make sure to hone this skill in AI or custom mode. With enough practice, you’ll be able to master Franco’s combo and become a formidable force.

READ MORE: Mobile Legends Zilong guide: Best build, skills, emblem, combos